shoot me

Got a new toy for Christmas... a Canon digital camera. I'm having a good time figuring out how to use it, however, it's at Scott's expense, and he's not thrilled about that! Here's some pics I've taken today during my learning process...

more to see

Here's a few more Christmas pictures courtesy of Sarah and Doug.

Little Gavin, and more Meyerings






Sarah and Doug



Mom, Dad, Joel, Rach, Scott, Grandma B, Doug and Sarah



Christmas Eve Dinner:
Scott, Joel, Rach, Dad, Aaron, Mom, Aunt Becky, Seth, Grandma B (can't see!), Emily, Sarah, Doug, Uncle Dave

the whirlwind that was Christmas

Growing up, Christmas stretched from the weekend before all the way to New Years, depending on which family's house we would travel to, and how we could best finagle the plans. This year, Scott and I had five celebrations in just three days, which was definitely an adjustment. I'm guessing (and hoping) that things will change for future years, and we won't be attempting a feat that involves long travel, late nights and early mornings. How much more exciting to have days on end to which we can look forward, instead of cramming it into one continuous event! Here's the blow-by-blow...

Friday morning we made a visit to Pete and Amy's house (which is absolutely adorable and charming). Here they are in their living room.



Friday night was the Meyering christmas at Mom and Dad's. Here's Aunt Kelli, Grandma and Sarah looking at Sarah's wedding photos.



I think Aunt Sue likes her gift.



Uncle Les and Denae just hanging out.



Joel in engaging conversation with the Grandmas.



Sarah and I smiling for the camera.



Saturday afternoon was our Christmas celebration with the Nelson's. Here's the kids and Grandma as they open their gifts from her.



On Saturday night (Christmas Eve) after church, we made sure to get some shots in our finest duds. Here's Dad, Scott, Joel and Doug. Mom now has her own "three sons".



The original three Meyerings.



Classic Joel and Sarah goofing around. Can you hear the kackle?



Rach and Scott.



Sunday afternoon (Christmas Day) was spent at Scott's parents with his brother. Here's the four of them... I'm taking the photo.

to us, from us

Over the weekend, Scott and I received our Christmas gift to each other... new interior french doors that divide an addition (with a natural gas guzzling heater) from the rest of the house.

Our installer showed up at 9:45am on Saturday morning, and was nothing short of wonderful. He transformed our garage into his own work shop complete with a heater, and did the entire job by himself. He paid so much attention to the details and spent 45 minutes cleaning up our house after the job was done. Best of all, he was the lowest quote and most personable guy.

Maybe this will give you an idea of our house. We tried to seal off the addition in the back, even though it could be used four seasons, because it has a self-contained gas heater which runs constantly in the winter months. We don't use the room unless we have company, so this seemed like a good idea (and a pretty one, too).

Here's some before and after pictures from the addition looking into the kitchen, and looking into the living room...

This is the exposed brick that used to be the back of the house circa 1960. It has since been slathered with wood paneling and later painted.

And the beautiful finished product! They still need to be primed and painted, and those not-so-attractive 80s sconces need to be yanked as well, but all in due time.

it's almost time

Remember just a couple days ago when I was saying how bored and unexcited I was? That I should prepare and wait, and become the epitome of Advent? That has all changed! I am now feeling frazzled with tasks, and at the same time, going to Grand Rapids can't come soon enough.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still the same Rach... my gifts have been wrapped for weeks, and I know exactly what still needs to be accomplished per my running list. It's just crunch time now. A few more days...

more from our nation's capitol

Over the weekend Sarah and Doug went down to the mall and checked out Christmas decorations. Here's some pictures from the Willard Hotel, the White House and the National Tree.

missing you

Last night I was at Grandma B's house after work. We had a nice dinner at our fave Chinese place, and then came back to get the Christmas tree up. She's had an artificial tree for a couple years now... getting a real one is her wish, but she knows it's difficult and takes more care. So we assembled her tree, and I strung the lights and put the angel on top. It looks nice in the corner window and glows beautifully, even from Rochester Road.

While Grandma B and I have a special relationship (that I don't think would have been created with my Grandpa B still around), it's times like last night when I realize how much I miss both of my grandpas.

I can see how the absence of my grandpas affects their wives... driveways don't get shoveled completely, furniture isn't rearranged as often, jobs that are typically "male" get completed by sons or sons-in-law (or granddaughters). But while I miss Papa and Grandpa dearly, I know that I wouldn't have the opportunity to know my grandmothers the way I do now. These are wise ladies, as their husbands were, and I cherish all the time spent with them.

Grandpa B and me (1982)

Grandpa M and me (1995)

across the miles

This just came into my inbox from Sarah and Doug. They decorated their tree, and wanted to share pictures. Looks just lovely! Can't wait to see you two in just nine days! Hopefully Scott and I will be able to share pictures of our tree soon.

chop, chop

This past Saturday we chopped down a lovely Blue Spruce for our living room. We went with our good friends, and their two little ladies. It was incredibly cold, but worth the adventure to find the perfect tree.

This little-known place was on Shea Road, somewhere northeast of our house! It was truly a gold mine to us, with lots of trees and the perfect price (the other more commercialized farms in the area charge $60 for the same trees).

These are our super friends, all bundled up for the day. Aren't they an adorable family?

Here's Scott, cutting down our tree. He looks so thrilled to be down in the cold snow...





...and then carefully planning the best way to make it home. "Um, do you want someone to consult with on this?" No answer. Must be things are under control without my assitance.

I'll have to see about getting some pictures of the thing actually up and decorated!

christmas quiz

My co-worker gave us this Christmas quiz. Try to determine the correct title for each of these famous Christmas songs. I got most of the answers correct. Can you? Post a reply, and I'll tell you if you're right! Needless to say, I've got some free time on my hands at work.

1. The fancy hotel room of a psychiatrist
2. The lad is a diminutive percussionist
3. Decorate the entryways
4. ABCDEFGHIJKMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
5. Frozen precipitation commence
6. We are Kong, Lear, and Nat Cole
7. Our fervent hope is that you thoroughly enjoy your yuletide season
8. Tranquility upon the terrestrial sphere
9. The red-suited pa is due in this burg
10. 288 yuletide hours
11. Present me naught but dual incisors for this festive yuletide
12. Exuberation to this orb
13. Sir Lancelot with laryngitis

preparing... and waiting

I wonder if I am the epitome of Advent, and just don't realize it? Sitting still is a challenge for me, I've discovered recently, and while I don't care to be caught up in all the hype that is Christmas 2005, I do want to be caught up in SOMETHING!

With all the shopping done, and half the gifts wrapped, there's not much going on, and I find myself looking to Scott to entertain me. Maybe I should be looking elsewhere... preparing and waiting patiently for the celebration of Jesus' birth. After all, it is the season of Advent. Maybe God's trying to say something, and in all my desire to be constantly busy, I should just "be still" (as my Mom would say). Hard as it is, I think I'll give it a shot and try to embrace these slow days.

weekend pics

Here's some pictures from the weekend at our house courtesy of Aunt Sue and Uncle Keith:

Uncle Keith and Dad (can you tell they are brothers?)

Playing Dominoes after lunch in the not-yet-redecorated back room. This is everyone with the exception of Joel and Uncle Keith (who took the picture). Where is Joel, you ask? Hmm... in the next room with control of the remote? Sounds about right.

Working on Dinner

The after-meal relaxation, Scott and Dad

And what would pictures be from Aunt Sue and Uncle Keith without Master Gavin?!? I believe these are from their Thanksgiving.

With Uncle Pete and Aunt Amy

thanksgiving re-cap

Had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. Spent the day at the Nyboers, and followed our meal with a couple games of Yahtzee. Mom, Dad and Joel were in town, too, and spent Thanksgiving at the Harris'. We ended up getting together on Friday and Saturday. Sarah and Doug were at home in DC, and we missed them dearly! Here's a couple pics from their Thanksgiving Day. Looks yummy and very festive. Miss you guys so much!

Friday was insane. Mom and I were at Penney's by 6:30am to start off the Black Friday shopping adventure. It was so much fun. We hit lots of stores, and I was her consultant for all things "man" (Joel, Scott, Doug, Dad). The traffic on John R. and 14 Mile was crazy, but we managed to maneuver around and be the most efficient ladies that we are.

On Saturday, Scott and I had Grandma M., Aunt Sue and Uncle Keith over for lunch (along with Mom, Dad, Joel and Grandma B.)! They made the 2.5 hour drive to our house and spent the afternoon visiting and playing dominos. We really had a nice time. I'm hoping to get some pictures from our visit (wink, wink, Aunt Sue).

The holiday weekend was definitely packed, but every minute was enjoyable. Now on to Christmas...

always

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

gourmet gone wrong

A weekend of sports, and a weekend of losses... where shall we start? U of M? State? How about the Pistons, Wings or Lions? They all qualify.

Another weekend loss: my attempt at making Italian wedding soup. I just love Giada de Laurentiis on the Food Network, and some of her recipes are delish. This one, however, was not! I followed the directions perfectly, and even though it smelled wonderful, and looked so pretty in the bowl, I couldn't even finish it. Scott wondered where the little noodle-balls were. I explained that this was the recipe from the infamous Giada, not the Smith-Jones wedding reception with Americanized "wedding soup". Nonetheless, it did not go over well. Turns out we are not gourmet people (we snacked on popcorn later that evening).

I won't give up, though. For Christmas at the Meyerings... Giada's Pizza Rustica?!?

the week's end

Gosh, nothing really new in the world of Scott and Rach! But I feel compelled to keep the blog updated and new (and hopefully it keeps a few people coming back and checking regularly). So this is it. Maybe there will be something exciting from the weekend to re-cap on Monday (besides a little-known football game between Michigan and Ohio). Have a great weekend, everyone.

happy birthday to you

Today is Mom's birthday. Happy Birthday, Mom! We were back in Grand Rapids over the weekend to celebrate (see Dad's post below in the November 2 "here we go").

What a nice weekend home. Got to see Grandma and Uncle Keith at the lake... we raked leaves (Joel used the blower, of course) and had Grandma's famous homemade bread. On Saturday evening, 3/5 of the Nelson clan came for birthday cheesecake. And after church on Sunday, we had an all-time favortite... Ham Dinner! Grandma came over for that, and it was super... yummy, salty gravy on mashed potatoes... mmm!

Sunday afternoon seemed to be a repeat of exactly one week ago... high winds which caused Scott to miss out on the Lions game. We lost our cable last Sunday, and yesterday the power went out at my parent's house in the 3rd quarter. And to think, the Lions were actually winning.

We hit the road shortly after, and made it home safe and sound!

heart walk 2005

A couple weeks ago, Dad and Grandma (his mother-in-law) drove to DC to see Sarah and Doug for a visit. Dad's a big fan of DC, loves practically everything about it (except for the events that cause local road closures, and therefore hinder his opportunities as a visitor). And I suppose Grandma was looking for an easy, brief vacation.

Their trip so happened to coincide with the annual Heart Walk. Sarah works in cardiac rehab for a local hospital, and sort of heads this up every year with her patients. They all meet at the hospital and take a shuttle right to the heart (no pun intended) of DC for the walk. Here they are, one last photo before boarding the bus.

Grandma said it was a chilly day... sunny, but windy. That explains being bundled up so much, I suppose. But it was a good time, they all said. Sarah's patients are really fabulous people, very caring and generous. I can only imagine the fun they had at the walk. Here's a picture of Sarah, Doug, Grandma and Dad.

whatta weekend

The two of us were definitely busy this past weekend. Friday night we watched one of our free movies from the library, Ladder 49. I told Scott I wasn't going to get emotionally attached, but in the end, I needed a kleenex. It was a tear-jerker for sure.

Saturday was our big day with Habitat for Hummanity. We signed up through church, had a great time, and are now full-fledged experts when it comes to siding a house. Lots of up and down on the ladder, making measurements and cuts. I only managed to put my thumb in between the hammer and nail three times! Hopefully there will be pictures to post soon.

Sunday was incredibly windy. I thought the roof was going to come off our church at any moment, it was pretty powerful. It was All Saints Sunday, complete with a trumpeter and "When The Saints Go Marching In". Can you imagine all of us Lutherans bellowing AND CLAPPING! What a sight.

With all the wind, we lost our cable just before half-time of the Lions game (boy, was Scott disappointed). This also meant that we had no internet. Couldn't exactly start raking leaves with all the gusty wind, so it ended up being a low key afternoon. Had dinner at the In-laws, and then came home to watch another freebie from the library. I'm happy to report that as of this morning, we are finally back in business with cable. And to imagine, I had lived without it until the age of 20!

day off

We are both off of work today and it's been productive so far. We had another door contractor out to see about installing french doors. This is turning out to be a much more complex project than we anticipated.

We stopped into a local lumber place on Gratiot and got some quotes on custom-size doors, and also asked for more recommendations on contractors. The two that have been out already haven't really impressed us that much, so I guess it can't hurt to keep looking. Lowe's and Home Depot haven't been too helpful either... their double-hung doors only come in specific sizes (sizes that we don't want).

So it's on to other things... this afternoon we'll cut the grass, put some burlap around our new arborvitae bushes, and maybe grill some roll-ups for dinner. The weatherman says 70 degrees today! Just have to grill before it gets dark. But it's shaping up to be a beautiful Fall day with sunny skies. Incredibly warm for November, but no complaints here. Looking forward to getting outside...

happy halloween

We're not usually the kind of folks to attend a Halloween party, but we did this year. And this is our costume. Can you guess who we are? Kind of a play on words... we're the...


... Black Eyed Peas! Scott was uncertain about the idea, but it was hassle-free, cost only 25 cents, and was very warm and comfy. Now how can you go wrong with that?